How and why did we as a human species begin to acquire and use language?

PROMPT: In your opinion and based on evidence, how and why did language evolve? How and why did we as a human species begin to acquire and use language? Potential issues to discuss in your response are whether you think language originated abruptly or emerged gradually, whether you think language originated as a result of a genetic change or because of cultural and social pressure, and what the creation of Nicaraguan Sign Language can tell us about the origins of language.

REFERENCES: Please be sure to provide AT LEAST 2 citations/references for your responses. References for this response can come from reputable, web-based sources, as well as your textbook, journal articles, and books.